OZARK — In the nearly 40-year history of Boy Scouts Troop 201, the most members to achieve Eagle rank in a single year was six. That only happened three times — in 2006, 2010 and 2012.

"This year we smashed that record with 10 Scouts earning the rank of Eagle," said Crystal Warren, advancement coordinator for the troop that meets at Ozark United Methodist Church. "This is a significant honor."

To achieve that rank, the pinnacle in Scouting, Scouts have to earn at least 21 badges and complete a project that gives back to the community.

"It's like reaching a summit," said Tyler Strothkamp. "You get to the top and you pay your debt back to scouting. You help others."

Don Sadler, advancement chair for the Ozarks Trails Council of the Boy Scouts, said the Eagle project goes through an approval and verification process. Currently, Troop 201 has nearly 45 members.

Asked how long the final project typically takes, from conception and approval to the completion, Sadler said, "it depends on the young man," typically ranging from days to nearly a year.

The 10 who earned Eagle rank in 2018 ranged in age from 14 to 18. Of the 10, seven were enrolled at Ozark High School and three attend Logan-Rogersville High School.

Joe Van Hoesen, a member of Boy Scout Troop 201, completed a recycling center project to benefit Harmony House as part of his quest to reach the rank of Eagle.(Photo: Submitted)

Garrett Coggin,16, and John "Trey" Lewis, 18, said they were inspired to pursue an Eagle rank after a family member had achieved the goal.

"That was my main goal because my dad got Eagle, my brother got Eagle and a lot of people in my life got Eagle," said Lewis, noting the final project took several months. "It was a huge weight off my chest, to say the least."

Lewis, who built benches for the Safe To Sleep women's shelter for his project, added: "I've had this goal since I was 8."

Quinten Milligan, the youngest of the 10 to earn Eagle, said he was looking for ideas when he visited Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and spotted a list of needed projects.

He picked one, assembled volunteers and in less than three hours built 150 yards of split-rail fencing. "It was rewarding to see all of your hard work pay off."

“It's like reaching a summit. You get to the top and you pay your debt back to scouting. You help others.”

Tyler Strothkamp

Cameron Lamborn, who wants to go into law enforcement, built benches to help the Webster County Sheriff's Office.

He said to earn the Eagle rank, projects have to be complete before the Scout's 18th birthday, and he was cutting it close. He said fellow Scouts helped him finish.

"We came pretty close," he said. "I would have been pretty disappointed."